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Wake Education Partnership. Skills for Life: An Initiative for Middle School Youth Development. Wake Education Partnership. Mission: Uniting Community Resources for Excellence in Public Education Three Strategic Directives
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Wake Education Partnership Skills for Life: An Initiative for Middle School Youth Development
Wake Education Partnership • Mission: Uniting Community Resources for Excellence in Public Education • Three Strategic Directives • Provide Leadership Training and Professional Development for educators • Foster Community Engagement to build public understanding • Conduct Research and Advocacy on key education issues
Wake Education PartnershipKey Programs • Triangle Leadership Academy • Wake Task Force for Teaching Excellence • Assuring Student Success Through Empowering Teachers (ASSET) • Wake Education Summit • Quality Matters • Research and Advocacy Committee • Education Roundtables • Food for Thought Teacher Grants • Pieces of Gold/Gifts of Gold
Wake County Public Schools2005-2006 • Student enrollment: 120,504 • Middle School enrollment: 27,686 • Number of Schools: 139 Total (Elem 88, MS 28, High 17, Other 6) • Teachers: 7,776 Total, 160 MS Healthful Living • Leadership Academy: 240 training sessions, 9,000 participants, 57,000 training hours
Skills for Life: The Need • 430,000 annual deaths from smoking-related diseases: 650,000 annual deaths from alcohol-related problems and illicit drug use • WCPSS health education assessment at the middle school level indicates need for further substance abuse education • Growing gang activity points to a need for further violence preventioneducation • Situating the curriculum at the middle grades allows focus on prevention rather than treatment
Skills for Life: Project Definition & Goals • Three-year initiative focusing on substance abuse, violence prevention, positive youth development • Goals 1) Reach 85% of middle school students 2) Provide professional development 3) Integrate curriculum in and out of school 4) Engage community for implementation and sustainability
Issues Smoking: Myths and Realities Smoking and Biofeedback Alcohol: Myths and Realities Marijuana: Myths and Realities Violence and the Media Core Skills Self-image and Self-improvement Making Decisions Coping with Anxiety Coping with Anger Communication Skills Social Skills Assertiveness Resolving Conflicts LifeSkills: Curriculum Components
LifeSkills: Program Efficacy • Reduces tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use by up to 75% • Reduces polydrug use by up to 66% • Effective across racial groups • Effective when taught by teachers, peer leaders, or health professionals • Prevention effects last
Skills for Life:Results to Date • Four LST certification classes completed • 100 HL teachers and CIS presenters trained • 11,000 MS students receiving LST • Development of leadership training begun • TOT and phase 2 LST training planned • 31% matching funds secured • Project Director to be hired mid-April
Skills for Life:Community Partners • Wake County Public School System • Communities in Schools – Wake County • Wake County Human Services • Wake Med • Alice Aycock Poe Health Center • Wake County 4H • Loaves and Fishes
Skills for Life:Next Steps • Organize Community Leadership Team • Identify additional CBO partners • Identify and train youth/peer trainers • Secure 50% matching funds • Organize TOT & phase 2 LST training • Develop & deliver leadership training • Conduct community meetings • Develop media & program materials